Mango taste test

DOÑA REMEDIOS TRINIDAD, Bulacan — Move over Guimaras, this mountainous town is poised to mount a strong challenge to your reputation as the home of the best tasting mango in the world.

It is common knowledge that mango of the carabao variety grown in Guimaras in Iloilo has a delicious taste that as yet has been unequalled by any variety grown anywhere in the world. But wait! This little known town in Bulacan has been growing the same carabao mango variety that some people say is sweeter, thanks to the silica content of the soil here.

Mayor Evelyn Paulino told The STAR that a study conducted by the Central Luzon State University showed that carabao mangoes grown in DRT has a higher sugar content than the ones grown in Guimaras.

She said that higher silica content of the soil in the town gives the mango trees better nutrition.

Presently, we have carabao mangoes planted in all eight barangays of our town. But we are hoping that we could concentrate it to a certain place so we could closely monitor its development.? Paulino told The STAR.

Last March until May, our farmers have produced mangoes for sale in the local market. If this industry is developed further, we might be able to produce export-quality mangoes." She said.

Aside from this, the municipal government is looking into the possibility of putting up a facility where dried mangoes, mango puree and other fruit-based products can be made.

In Central Luzon, the province of Zambales is known to be the largest mango producer, but according to the Regional Development Council, the industry is yet to be developed.

According to Bulacan Governor Josefina dela Cruz, the Central Luzon RDC has passed a 12 point-economic development agenda that includes the creation of Task Force Mango to strengthen farmers; organizations.

The RDC however claimed that the sweetest mangoes in the country are grown in Zambales, contrary to Paulino’s claim.

"Well, it’s for the people to decide." Paulino said.